Idealcombi — Window Cleaning Guide

Quick Facts

Brand at a Glance

Product Range

Why This System

Step 1 of 2: Manufacturer Recommendations

Official Care Guidance

Glass

• ✓Clean with lukewarm water and a neutral cleaning fluid.
• ✓Clean at least twice per year.
• ✓Use a soft brush or cloth.
• ✕Do not use abrasive cleaning agents or tools on glass surfaces.

Aluminium Cladding (Exterior)

• ✓Clean with lukewarm water and a neutral cleaning fluid such as car shampoo.
• ✓Use a soft brush or cloth.
• ✓Clean a couple of times per year as a minimum.
• ✓Powder-coated aluminium surfaces do not require any maintenance beyond regular cleaning.
• ✕Do not use abrasive tools or strong solvents.

Timber Frames (Interior)

• ✓Clean with lukewarm water and a neutral cleaning fluid.
• ✓Check for any damage or wear to the surface treatment when cleaning.
• ✓The interior wood surface is delivered with a ready-painted finish which may be repainted when needed.
• ✕Do not use excess water on timber surfaces.

Idealcore Rebates

• ✓Clean with a damp cloth.
• ✓The smooth surface with no cavities makes cleaning straightforward.
• ✓No drain holes to maintain - the solid polyurethane does not require drainage.
• ✓Do not allow debris to accumulate in the rebate area.

Hardware and Ironmongery

• ✓Lubricate all moveable parts on hinges and closing/locking ironmongery at least once a year.
• ✕This is a requirement to maintain the product guarantee.
• ✓Tracks should always be kept clean.
• ✓During annual maintenance: clean and lubricate ironmongery, inspect weatherstrips and glazing gaskets.

Weatherstrips and Seals

• ✓Wipe with lukewarm water and a neutral cleaning fluid using a cloth once a year.
• ✓Keep clean and free of dirt.
• ✓Brush weatherstrips with a silicone stick to minimise friction during operation.

Step 2 of 2: The Orloffs Protocol

The Orloffs Protocol

Pro Tools

My daily tool list. This is what I carry to every job.

Follow these steps in order. Each one builds on the last. This is the same sequence I use on every Idealcombi installation.

1. 1

   Preparation -- before any water touches the glass

   Fill the bucket with at least 10 litres of water. Add soap for cleaning power -- enough to cut through environmental deposits, not so much you are fighting foam.

   Before touching the glass, brush down the surface to remove loose dust, spiderwebs, and debris. Any grit left on the glass during the wash phase risks scratching during agitation.

   Check the composite frame condition before you start. Confirm which cleaning product is safe for that surface before opening any bottle.

   Cover anything below the windows that cannot be moved.

2. 2

   Agitation -- apply and work the solution

   Dip the microfiber T-bar completely into the soap water, both sides. Remove excess water with your hand so it does not drip. Apply the solution across the entire glass surface with overlapping passes.

   The goal is to fully dissolve and release every deposit from the glass surface. Anything not released during agitation gets transported across the glass by the squeegee as a smear.

   For stubborn spots -- insect marks, salt residue, environmental deposits -- re-apply soap water and allow it to soak for a full minute before agitating again. Use more soap water, not more pressure.

   For panels above arm reach: attach the T-bar to an extension pole. Work in sections -- top first, then middle, then bottom -- keeping each section wet until you squeegee it.

   Rinse the T-bar cover regularly during the job. A dirty applicator causes microscopic scratches that accumulate over time.

3. 3

   Detail the frame edge before squeegeeing

   Use your 100% cotton towelling rag, finger pressed into the fabric, to work into every junction and remove pooled soap water before the squeegee pass.

   This prevents drips running down onto already-cleaned areas during squeegeeing and keeps soap water out of drainage channels.

   On Idealcombi composite frames, pay particular attention to the bottom edge where glass meets the frame sill -- water pooled here runs into drainage openings and leaves residue over time.

4. 4

   The squeegee

   Tilt the squeegee at a slight angle so soap water spills from one side of the channel only -- not both. If the rubber is jumping or squeaking, either the rubber is not lubricated enough or the glass surface has warmed.

   Cutting in: start with the rubber blade making first contact on a dry edge of the glass.

   Side to side: horizontal passes across the panel. Works well on wide sections. Top to bottom: vertical passes down the panel. Works well on tall narrow sections.

   The J tune: one smooth unbroken motion top to bottom, wrist rotating at each end to reverse without lifting the rubber. The most efficient method on larger panels -- but it requires training before applying it to premium glass.

   Wipe the rubber dry after every pass. Overlap each stroke by 2-3 cm.

5. 5

   Final edge detailing

   After squeegeeing, there is always a residual line of water along the bottom edge and at the panel sides. Take a dry cotton rag, fold to a clean corner, and detail these edges in one smooth pass.

   On Idealcombi frames, the bottom edge where glass meets the sill requires the most careful attention. Water left here runs into drainage and leaves residue that affects the next clean.

   Rotate the rag to a clean section after every pass. If the rag picks up grit at any point, replace it immediately.

6. 6

   Frame wipe and hardware check

   On Idealcombi frames, apply the appropriate product for each surface: pH-neutral for aluminium and glass, solvent-free for uPVC, barely damp cloth for timber. Never cross-contaminate products between surfaces.

   Check that all drainage openings are clear and unobstructed. Water must be able to flow freely -- a blocked channel leads to accumulation that affects seal performance over time.

   Operate every opening window through its full range. Stiff handles or resistance at locking points indicate hardware that needs lubrication. Flag it to the owner rather than forcing it.

Pro Tips

• ★ Brush down the aluminium and frame with a dry brush before any wet cleaning - grit becomes an abrasive paste when you add water.
• ★ Clean the frame first, every time. Most streaks come from dirt the squeegee picks up at the frame edge.
• ★ More soap water, not more pressure - Idealcombi prohibits abrasive tools on every surface.
• ★ On Nation IC heritage profiles, slow down at the edges - the putty-line profile catches the squeegee rubber differently from the slim Futura+.
• ★ Annual ironmongery lubrication is a warranty requirement, not a suggestion - the 25-year Idealcore rot warranty depends on it.

What NOT To Do

Bundle Kits and Tool Recommendations

Cleaning Frequency

Glass and aluminium cladding: 2x per year minimum (Idealcombi baseline. More often in urban or coastal environments.). Timber interior surfaces: 2x per year (Inspect paint condition at each cleaning for cracking or wear.). Hardware lubrication: 1x per year minimum (Warranty requirement - all moveable ironmongery parts.). Weatherstrip cleaning and silicone stick: 1x per year (Reduces friction and prevents premature seal wear.). Idealcore rebate wipe-down: Every cleaning session (Quick wipe of the smooth polyurethane surface.). Glazing gasket inspection: 1x per year (During annual maintenance.)

Frequently Asked Questions

Field Notes

“Glass and aluminium cladding: minimum twice per year - Idealcombi baseline. Timber interior: twice-yearly cleaning with paint condition inspection at each session. Hardware: annual ironmongery lubrication is a warranty requirement. Weatherstrips: annual clean and silicone stick application to maintain seal performance. Idealcore rebates: wipe down at every cleaning session - smooth surface makes it quick.”

Justin Orloff